Danforth and Hathorn visit Parris. They ask Parris why Reverend Hale returned to Salem. Parris tells them that the reverend intends to convince the prisoners to confess and save themselves from the gallows. Danforth says that postponment will cast doubt on the guilt of the 7 prisoners and the 12 prisoners that have already been hung. Meanwhile, the livestock is wondering around town and children are wandering in the midst of the trials. Everybody is also afraid of being accused every second of the day.
Proctor and Hale have not yet spoken. Danforth hopes that Elizabeth can persuade him to confess. Elizabeth then talks to Proctor in private. She relates this situation with Giles who did not give a plea and was smashed to death with heavy stones on his chest. His last words were "more weight." Proctor then tells Elizabeth that he wants to let the weight of guilt be hung around those who accused him.
He then decides to confess. Everyone is overjoyed. Cheever grabs paper and pen and starts to write down the confession. Proctor wonders why it needs to be written and Danforth tells him that it will hung over the church door.
The men get Rebecca to witness Proctors confession for hopes that she will do the same. The sight of Rebecca shames Proctor. Danforth asks him if he ever saw Rebecca in the devils company. Proctor says no. He then gives a list of names and asks the same question. Proctor delivers the same answer. Danforth pressures him to give more names but Proctor refuses.
Proctor is still undecided about writing the confession. After much pressure from Danforth, he signs it but takes it away from him. He refuses to have the confession be nailed on the church. Danforth calls the marshall and the marshall takes him and the other seven prisoners to the gallows.
Act Four
Danforth and Hathorn visit Parris. They ask Parris why Reverend Hale returned to Salem. Parris tells them that the reverend intends to convince the prisoners to confess and save themselves from the gallows. Danforth says that postponment will cast doubt on the guilt of the 7 prisoners and the 12 prisoners that have already been hung. Meanwhile, the livestock is wondering around town and children are wandering in the midst of the trials. Everybody is also afraid of being accused every second of the day.
Proctor and Hale have not yet spoken. Danforth hopes that Elizabeth can persuade him to confess. Elizabeth then talks to Proctor in private. She relates this situation with Giles who did not give a plea and was smashed to death with heavy stones on his chest. His last words were "more weight." Proctor then tells Elizabeth that he wants to let the weight of guilt be hung around those who accused him.
He then decides to confess. Everyone is overjoyed. Cheever grabs paper and pen and starts to write down the confession. Proctor wonders why it needs to be written and Danforth tells him that it will hung over the church door.
The men get Rebecca to witness Proctors confession for hopes that she will do the same. The sight of Rebecca shames Proctor. Danforth asks him if he ever saw Rebecca in the devils company. Proctor says no. He then gives a list of names and asks the same question. Proctor delivers the same answer. Danforth pressures him to give more names but Proctor refuses.
Proctor is still undecided about writing the confession. After much pressure from Danforth, he signs it but takes it away from him. He refuses to have the confession be nailed on the church. Danforth calls the marshall and the marshall takes him and the other seven prisoners to the gallows.
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